Vehicle and a compression load limiter assembly for the vehicle

ABSTRACT

A vehicle and a compression load limiter assembly for the vehicle are disclosed. The assembly includes a first component defining a first hole along a first axis to present a first wall radially spaced from the first axis. The assembly also includes a second component defining a second hole along a second axis to present a second wall radially spaced from the second axis. The first and second holes generally align with each other to couple together the first and second components. The assembly further includes a load limiter member including a first body portion engaging one of the first and second walls when disposed in one of the first and second holes. The first body portion has a radially compliant feature to allow movement of the load limiter member within one of the first and second holes in response to a force being applied to the load limiter member.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a vehicle and a compression loadlimiter assembly for the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a vehicle has an engine block and an oil pan attached to abottom side of the engine block which contains lubricate such as oil tolubricate various moving parts. Sealant can be utilized to seal the oilpan to the engine block to prevent fluid loss therebetween.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a compression load limiter assembly fora vehicle. The assembly includes a first component defining a first holealong a first axis to present a first wall radially spaced from thefirst axis. The assembly also includes a second component defining asecond hole along a second axis to present a second wall radially spacedfrom the second axis. The first and second holes generally align witheach other to couple together the first and second components. Theassembly further includes a load limiter member including a first bodyportion engaging one of the first and second walls when disposed in oneof the first and second holes, with the first body portion having aradially compliant feature to allow movement of the load limiter memberwithin one of the first and second holes in response to a force beingapplied to the load limiter member.

The present disclosure also provides a vehicle including an engine blockand an oil pan. The engine block defines a first hole along a first axisto present a first wall radially spaced from the first axis. The oil panincludes a flange defining a second hole along a second axis to presenta second wall radially spaced from the second axis. The first and secondholes are generally aligning with each other to couple together theengine block and the oil pan. The vehicle further includes a loadlimiter member. The load limiter member includes a first body portionformed of an elastomer material and a second body portion formed of ametal material. The second body portion has an outer periphery and thefirst body portion surrounds the outer periphery. The first body portionincludes an outer surface engaging one of the first and second wallswhen disposed in one of the first and second holes. The outer surfacehas a radially compliant feature to allow movement of the load limitermember within one of the first and second holes in response to a forcebeing applied to the load limiter member.

Generally, the radially compliant feature reduces radial stiffness ofthe load limiter member to compensate for tolerance differences betweenthe first and second components. The radially compliant feature allowsthe load limiter member to shift laterally or tilt within one of thefirst and second holes to reduce distortion of, for example, the oil panduring assembly. Furthermore, the radially compliant feature allows theload limiter member to shift laterally or tilt due to thermal expansionand contraction of the first and second components during or afteroperation of the vehicle.

The detailed description and the drawings or Figures are supportive anddescriptive of the disclosure, but the scope of the disclosure isdefined solely by the claims. While some of the best modes and otherembodiments for carrying out the claims have been described in detail,various alternative designs and embodiments exist for practicing thedisclosure defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a vehicle and acompression load limiter assembly illustrating two different embodimentsof load limiter members.

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded cross-sectional view of a firstcomponent, a second component, a load limiter member and a fastener.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first and secondcomponents, with the fastener in phantom lines being inserted through afirst hole of the first component and a second hole of the secondcomponent, with the first and second holes generally aligning with eachother.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the first and secondcomponents attached to each other, with the fastener in phantom lines,and the first and second holes generally aligning with each other.

FIG. 5 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the load limitermember of one embodiment taken from FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a schematic enlarged perspective view of the load limitermember of another embodiment taken from FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view of the load limiter member of FIG.5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like orcorresponding parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 and acompression load limiter assembly 12 for the vehicle 10 are generallyshown in FIG. 1. As such, the assembly 12 can be useful for vehicles 10,such as automotive vehicles, etc. It is to be appreciated that theassembly 12 can also be useful for non-automotive applicationsincluding, for example, farm, marine, aviation applications, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the assembly 12 includes a first component14 defining a first hole 16 along a first axis 18 to present a firstwall 20 radially spaced from the first axis 18. The assembly 12 alsoincludes a second component 22 defining a second hole 24 along a secondaxis 26 to present a second wall 28 radially spaced from the second axis26. The first and second holes 16, 24 generally align with each other tocouple together the first and second components 14, 22, which isdiscussed in detail further below. Generally aligning of the first andsecond holes 16, 24 can include the first and second axes 18, 26 beingoffset with the holes 16, 24 overlapping (see FIG. 3) or can include thefirst and second axes 18, 26 being concentric with the holes 16, 24overlapping (see FIG. 4).

Continuing with FIGS. 1 and 2, the second component 22 can include amain body 30 and a flange 32 extending outwardly from the main body 30.In certain embodiments, the flange 32 can be coupled to the firstcomponent 14, with the second hole 24 defined through the flange 32.Therefore, the second component 22 can be attached to the firstcomponent 14 by the flange 32. Generally, the second component 22 can beattached to a bottom 34 of the first component 14. It is to beappreciated that the first and second components 14, 22 can be attachedto each other in any suitable location. In addition, the secondcomponent 22 can be attached to the first component 14 by features otherthan the flange 32.

In certain embodiments, such as in the automotive application, as shownin FIG. 1, the first component 14 can be defined as an engine block andthe second component 22 can be defined as an oil pan. Therefore, forexample, the vehicle 10 can include the engine block and the oil pan.The engine block can define the first hole 16 along the first axis 18 topresent the first wall 20 radially spaced from the first axis 18.Additionally, the oil pan can include the flange 32 defining the secondhole 24 along the second axis 26 to present the second wall 28 radiallyspaced from the second axis 26. As such, the first and second holes 16,24 generally align with each other to couple together the engine blockand the oil pan. It is to be appreciated that the first component 14 canalso be defined as an engine block cover.

The oil pan can contain a lubricant, such as oil, to lubricate variousmoving parts inside the engine block. The oil pan can have the main body30 defining a cavity for receiving the lubricant. It is to beappreciated that the second component 22 can be configurations otherthan the oil pan. Furthermore, it is to be appreciated that the firstcomponent 14 can be configurations other than the engine block and theengine block cover.

The first component 14, and thus the engine block, can be formed of ametal material. The metal material of the first component 14 can bealuminum, iron, steel or any other suitable metal material. Furthermore,the second component 22, and thus the oil pan, can be formed of acomposite material. The composite material can be a glass-reinforcedpolyamide, a glass-reinforced nylon or any other suitable compositematerial. Generally, the metal material and the composite material canhave a coefficient of thermal expansion different from each other.Simply stated, the first and second components 14, 22 can have differentcoefficients of thermal expansion.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the vehicle 10 and the assembly 12 furtherinclude a load limiter member 36. Generally, the load limiter member 36prevents excessive compression of the second component 22 by a fastener38 when the fastener 38 couples the first and second components 14, 22together. More specifically, for example, the load limiter member 36prevents excessive compression of the flange 32 of the second component22 by the fastener 38 when the fastener 38 couples the first and secondcomponents 14, 22 together. The function of the load limiter member 36is discussed in detail further below.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5-7, the load limiter member 36 includes afirst body portion 40 engaging one of the first and second walls 20, 28when disposed in one of the first and second holes 16, 24. In oneembodiment, the first body portion 40 is disposed in the second hole 24to engage the second wall 28. Therefore, during assembly of the loadlimiter member 36 to the second component 22, the load limiter member 36is inserted into the second hole 24 to present an interference fit withthe second wall 28. In other words, the first body portion 40 engagesthe second wall 28 to maintain the load limiter member 36 in the secondhole 24. As such, the interference fit creates a force 41 (see FIG. 4),such as a compression force, applied to the first body portion 40 by thesecond wall 28. It is to be appreciated that the load limiter member 36can present a friction fit, a press fit, etc. with the second wall 28 tomaintain the load limiter member 36 in the second hole 24. Generally,the interference fit between the load limiter member 36 and the secondwall 28 is to lightly hold the load limiter member 36 in place withinthe second hole 24, which is discussed further below. Optionally, theload limiter member 36 can be secured in the second hole 24 with amechanical locking feature.

Generally, the first body portion 40 can be formed of an elastomermaterial. The first body portion 40 is formed of the elastomer materialto allow radial compliance of the first body portion 40. In other words,the first body portion 40 reduces radial stiffness of the load limitermember 36 to allow lateral or tilting movement of the load limitermember 36 in one of the first and second holes 16, 24. For example, thefirst body portion 40 is elastically deformable to compensate fortolerance differences, such as manufacturing tolerances of the first andsecond components 14, 22 or manufacturing tolerances between the firstand second holes 16, 24. The first body portion 40 can be compressed,flexed, etc. in response to a force 41 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) acting on thefirst body portion 40, such as the compression force as discussed above.The first body portion 40 can bias or spring back to its originalconfiguration when the force 41 is removed. In certain embodiments, theelastomer material of the first body portion 40 is rubber. It is to beappreciated that the first body portion 40 can be formed of any suitableelastomer material or any other compliant material elastomeric innature.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, the first body portion 40 has a radiallycompliant feature 42 to allow movement of the load limiter member 36within one of the first and second holes 16, 24 in response to a force41 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) being applied to the load limiter member 36.Generally, the force 41 can be applied to the load limiter member 36while the load limiter member 36 is in one of the first and second holes16, 24 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. As such, generally, the force 41 beingapplied to the load limiter member 36 is transverse to one of the firstand second axes 18, 26. For example, the radially compliant feature 42reduces radial stiffness of the load limiter member 36 to compensate fortolerance differences, and thus the load limiter member 36 can shiftlaterally or tilt. Specifically, the radially compliant feature 42 isformed of the elastomer material, as discussed above, to compensate fortolerance differences, such as manufacturing tolerances of the first andsecond components 14, 22 or manufacturing tolerances between the firstand second holes 16, 24. As another example, the radially compliantfeature 42 allows the load limiter member 36 to shift laterally or tiltdue to thermal expansion and contraction of the first and secondcomponents 14, 22 during or after operation of the vehicle 10.Therefore, if the coefficient of thermal expansion is different betweenthe first and second components 14, 22, the load limiter member 36 isdesigned to move to compensate for these thermal differences. As such,the force 41 being applied to the load limiter member 36 can be from oneof the walls 20, 28 as the load limiter member 36 shifts or tiltstherein. Furthermore, the radially compliant feature 42 allows for thelight interference fit between the load limiter member 36 and, forexample, the second wall 28 within the second hole 24. For example, thelight interference fit prevents disruptions to the flange 32 or thesecond wall 28. Simply stated, the light interference fit reduces stresson the flange 32 as compared to a bolt limiter of the prior art thatdoes not have any radially compliant feature 42.

Turning to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the first body portion 40 can include anouter surface 44. Generally, the outer surface 44 faces away from thesecond axis 26. Therefore, the outer surface 44 can engage one of thefirst and second walls 20, 28 when disposed in one of the first andsecond holes 16, 24. For example, in one embodiment, the load limitermember 36 is disposed in the second hole 24 and the outer surface 44engages the second wall 28. Specifically, the outer surface 44 can havethe radially compliant feature 42 to allow movement of the load limitermember 36 within one of the first and second holes 16, 24 in response tothe force 41 being applied to the load limiter member 36.

Continuing with FIGS. 2, 5 and 6, the radially compliant feature 42 canbe further defined as a recess 46 disposed in the outer surface 44 toallow radial compliance of the load limiter member 36 within one of thefirst and second holes 16, 24 in response to the force 41. For example,when the load limiter member 36 is disposed in the second hole 24, theouter surface 44 allows radial compliance within the second hole 24.

In certain embodiments, the recess 46 can be further defined as aplurality of recesses 46 spaced from each other about the outer surface44 as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The recesses 46 can be any suitableconfiguration. Therefore, FIGS. 1, 5 and 6 illustrate two differentembodiments for the load limiter member 36. Specifically, FIG. 1illustrates both of the embodiments of the load limiter member 36.

As best shown in FIG. 5, for example, the recesses 46 can be furtherdefined as slots spaced from each other. Each of the slots can include apair of sides 48 spaced from each other and a base 50 disposed betweenrespective sides 48. In one embodiment, the slots are spaced from eachother radially about a central axis 52. More specifically, the base 50of each of the slots are also spaced from the outer surface 44transverse to the central axis 52 such that the sides 48 are disposedbetween the base 50 of each of the slots and the outer surface 44.Simply stated, the base 50 of the slots are disposed closer to thecentral axis 52 than the outer surface 44.

As another example, as best shown in FIG. 6, the recesses 46 can befurther defined as serrations. Each of the serrations can include a pairof side walls 54 angled relative to each other such that respective sidewalls 54 engage each other at the outer surface 44. As such, respectiveside walls 54 engage each other at the outer surface 44 to definerespective distal edges 56. Furthermore, respective side walls 54 engageeach other at respective proximal edges 58 spaced from the outer surface44 transverse to the central axis 52. As such, the distal edges 56protrude outwardly away from the central axis 52 and the proximal edges58 recede inwardly toward the central axis 52. Simply stated, theproximal edges 58 are disposed closer to the central axis 52 than thedistal edges 56. Generally, the distal edges 56 are spaced from eachother radially about the central axis 52 and similarly, the proximaledges 58 are spaced from each other radially about the central axis 52.

As best shown in FIGS. 5-7, the load limiter member 36 can furtherinclude a second body portion 60 having an outer periphery 62, with thefirst body portion 40 surrounding the outer periphery 62. Generally, theouter periphery 62 faces away from the central axis 52. Simply stated,the first body portion 40 overlaps or covers the second body portion 60.It is to be appreciated that the first body portion 40 can be molded tothe second body portion 60. For example, the first body portion 40 canbe over-molded to the second body portion 60. It is to be appreciatedthat the first body portion 40 can be attached to the second bodyportion 60 by any suitable method.

Furthermore, the second body portion 60 can define a bore 64 along thecentral axis 52. Therefore, the fastener 38 can be disposed through thebore 64 and the second hole 24 into the first hole 16 to secure togetherthe first and second components 14, 22. In other words, the fastener 38is disposed through the bore 64 of the load limiter member 36, throughthe second hole 24 of the second component 22, and into the first hole16 of the first component 14. The bore 64 defines a diametercomplementary to a diameter of a threaded portion 65 of the fastener 38to minimize play between the second body portion 60 and the fastener 38.Therefore, shifting or tilting of the fastener 38 correspondingly shiftsor tilts the second body portion 60, which correspondingly causesmovement of the first body portion 40 and the radially compliant feature42. Furthermore, the first hole 16 is threaded and defines a diametercomplementary to the diameter of the threaded portion 65 of the fastener38 to secure the fastener 38 to the first component 14.

Generally, the second body portion 60 can be formed of a metal material.The second body portion 60 is formed of the metal material to preventexcessive compression of the second component 22 by the fastener 38 whenthe fastener 38 couples the first and second components 14, 22 together.More specifically, for example, the second body portion 60 is formed ofthe metal material to prevent excessive compression of the flange 32 ofthe second component 22 by the fastener 38 when the fastener 38 couplesthe first and second components 14, 22 together. In certain embodiments,the metal material of the second body portion 60 is steel. It is to beappreciated that the second body portion 60 can be formed of anysuitable metal material.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the load limiter member 36 can furtherinclude a first end 66 and a second end 68 spaced from each other alongthe central axis 52. More specifically, the second body portion 60 caninclude the first and second ends 66, 68. Generally, the bore 64 can bedisposed through the first and second ends 66, 68 of the load limitermember 36.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the first and second bodyportions 40, 60 can include a tapered portion 70 tapering toward thecentral axis 52 adjacent to the second end 68 for guiding the loadlimiter member 36 into one of the first and second holes 16, 24. Inother words, the tapered portion 70 assists in inserting the loadlimiter member 36 into one of the first and second holes 16, 24. In oneembodiment, the first body portion 40 can include the tapered portion 70tapering toward the central axis 52 adjacent to the second end 68 forguiding the load limiter member 36 into one of the first and secondholes 16, 24. In another embodiment, the second body portion 60 caninclude the tapered portion 70 tapering toward the central axis 52adjacent to the second end 68. When the second body portion 60 includesthe tapered portion 70, the first body portion 40 does not surround oroverlap the tapered portion 70. In yet another embodiment, both thefirst and second body portions 40, 60 can include the tapered portion70. It is to be appreciated that the recess 46, and more specifically,the recesses 46 can be disposed along the tapered portion 70. It is toalso be appreciated that the recess 46, and more specifically, therecesses 46 can be disposed adjacent to the tapered portion 70 andextending to the first end 66 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In other words, therecesses 46 can be spaced from the tapered portion 70.

In certain embodiments, the first hole 16 can be further defined as aplurality of first holes 16 spaced from each other to present respectivefirst walls 20 and the second hole 24 can be further defined as aplurality of second holes 24 spaced from each other to presentrespective second walls 28. Therefore, respective first and second holes16, 24 generally align with each other. Furthermore, in certainembodiments, the load limiter member 36 can be further defined as aplurality of load limiter members 36. As such, one of the load limitermembers 36 is disposed in respective ones of the first holes 16 orrespective ones of the second holes 24. In one embodiment, one of theload limiter members 36 is disposed in each of the second holes 24. Eachof the load limiter members 36 can include the features discussed abovefor the two embodiments of the single load limiter member 36, andtherefore, the details will not be re-discussed. It is to be appreciatedthat both of the embodiments of the load limiter members 36 (asdiscussed above) can be utilized at the same time as shown in FIG. 1 orone embodiment of the load limiter members 36 can be utilized at a time,i.e. independently of each other.

The fastener 38 can be further defined as a plurality of fasteners 38(see FIG. 1), with one of the fasteners 38 disposed through each of theload limiter members 36 and respective second holes 24 into respectivefirst holes 16 to secure together the first and second components 14,22. In one embodiment, such as in the automotive application, thefasteners 38 secure together the engine block and the oil pan. Theradially compliant feature 42 of each of the load limiter members 36allow self-alignment of the load limiter members 36 as the fasteners 38draw the second component 22 into engagement with the first component 14to compensate for tolerances between respective first and second holes16, 24. More specifically, the radially compliant feature 42 of each ofthe load limiter members 36 allow self-alignment of the load limitermembers 36 as the fasteners 38 draw the oil pan into engagement with theengine block to compensate for tolerances between respective first andsecond holes 16, 24. Therefore, self-alignment of the load limitermembers 36 correspondingly allows self-alignment of the second component22 relative to the first component 14 as the fasteners 38 secure thecomponents 14, 22 together. Furthermore, the radially compliant feature42 of each of the load limiter members 36 allow the load limiter members36 to shift laterally or tilt relative to respective second axes 26 dueto thermal expansion and contraction of the first and second components14, 22 during or after operation of the vehicle 10.

The fasteners 38 can be further defined as bolts or any other suitablefasteners. For example, referring to FIGS. 2-4, each of the bolts arethreaded into respective first holes 16 such that a head 72 of each ofthe bolts abut or rest against respective load limiter members 36.Furthermore, the head 72 of the bolts abut or rest against a portion ofthe second component 22 to secure the first and second components 14, 22together. In certain embodiments, the head 72 of the bolts rest againstthe flange 32 of the second component 22. When resting the head 72 ofthe bolts against respective load limiter members 36, the bolts cannotcompress the flange 32 of the oil pan to a height less than a height ofrespective load limiter members 36. Specifically, the second end 68 ofeach of the load limiter members 36 abut, engage or rest against thefirst component 14 and the head 72 of the bolts can engage the first end66 of respective load limiter members 36 as shown in FIGS. 2-4.Therefore, the load limiter members 36 prevent excessive compression ofthe second component 22, such as the flange 32 of the second component22.

Turning to FIGS. 1-4, furthermore, the assembly 12 can include a sealant74 disposed along the flange 32 and facing the first component 14 toseal between the first and second components 14, 22 when secured to eachother. More specifically, the vehicle 10 can include the sealant 74disposed along the flange 32 and facing the engine block to seal betweenthe engine block and the oil pan when secured to each other. In otherwords, the sealant 74 is sandwiched between the oil pan and the engineblock to seal therebetween when the engine block and the oil pan areattached to each other. Simply stated, the sealant 74 seals the jointbetween the first and second components 14, 22. The sealant 74 can aidin preventing lubricant loss between the joint of the first and secondcomponents 14, 22. The radially compliant feature 42 of each of the loadlimiter members 36 allows self-alignment of the load limiter members 36as the fasteners 38 draw the second component 22 into engagement withthe first component 14 to reduce movement of the flange 32 to maintainthe configuration of the sealant 74 between the first and secondcomponents 14, 22. More specifically, the radially compliant feature 42of each of the load limiter members 36 allow self-alignment of the loadlimiter members 36 as the fasteners 38 draw the oil pan into engagementwith the engine block to reduce movement of the flange 32 to maintainthe body of the sealant 74 between the engine block and the oil pan.

The sealant 74 can be selected from any suitable sealant, such as, butnot limited to room-temperature vulcanized sealants and siliconesealants. As used herein, the terminology “room-temperature vulcanizedsealant” refers to a two-component material system, e.g., including abase component and a curing agent reactive with the base component, thatis cured at ambient temperature, and generally applied to at least oneof the first and second components 14, 22 in fluid form. Such materialsystems have comparatively short set-up or cure times and generally curewithin minutes. A fully cured room-temperature vulcanized sealant canprovide a fluid-tight seal between the first and second components 14,22. A suitable example of the room-temperature vulcanized sealant isroom-temperature vulcanized silicone rubber.

The radially compliant feature 42 of each of the load limiter members 36provides multiple benefits as discussed above and as further detailedbelow. For example, the radially compliant feature 42 can compensate fortolerance differences, such as manufacturing tolerances of the first andsecond components 14, 22 or manufacturing tolerances between the firstand second holes 16, 24. Therefore, the radially compliant feature 42allows the load limiter members 36 to shift laterally or tilt within oneof the first and second holes 16, 24 to reduce distortion of, forexample, the oil pan during assembly. For example, a face of the engineblock and/or a surface of the flange 32 facing the face of the engineblock can each have slight variations which can cause the oil pan tohave a tendency to be distorted about a longitudinal axis 76 (seeFIG. 1) during assembly of the engine block and the oil pan. The slightvariations of the face and the surface can be, for example, waviness,etc. Distortion, such as twisting or bending, of the oil pan can disruptthe sealant 74. Therefore, the radially compliant feature 42 of the loadlimiter members 36 is designed to minimize distortion of the secondcomponent 22, such as the flange 32, to maintain the configuration ofthe sealant 74 and prevent the load limiter members 36 from acting asfulcrum or pivot points relative to respective central axes 52.Furthermore, the radially compliant feature 42 of the load limitermembers 36 is designed to reduce stress on the second component 22, suchas the flange 32, as compared to a bolt limiter of the prior art thatdoes not have any radially compliant feature 42. As such, the loadlimiter members 36 can shift laterally or tilt relative to respectivesecond axes 26 when in respective second holes 24.

As another example, the radially compliant feature 42 allowsself-alignment of the load limiter members 36 as the fasteners 38 drawthe oil pan into engagement with the engine block to compensate fortolerances between respective first and second holes 16, 24. Therefore,if respective first and second axes 18, 26 do not concentrically align(see FIG. 3), the radially compliant feature 42 allows respective loadlimiter members 36 to shift laterally or tilt relative to respectivesecond axes 26 within respective second holes 24 as the respectivefasteners 38 are securing the engine block and the oil pan together toreduce distortion, such as twisting or bending, of the oil pan duringassembly. As such, shifting or tilting can cause the radially compliantfeature 42 to compress due to the second wall 28 applying the force 41to the first body portion 40, as shown in FIG. 3. Specifically, in FIG.3, for illustrative purposes only, the force 41 is applied to theradially compliant feature from a left side such that a left portion ofthe radially compliant feature 42 is compressed. Utilizing the loadlimiter members 36 (as described above) with the radially compliantfeature 42, reduces the tendency of the oil pan to twist or bendrelative to the longitudinal axis 76 due to the radially compliantfeature 42 allowing radial movement of the load limiter members 36 tocompensate for tolerance differences.

As yet another example, the radially compliant feature 42 allows theload limiter members 36 to shift laterally or tilt due to thermalexpansion and contraction of the first and second components 14, 22during or after operation of the vehicle 10. Therefore, if thecoefficient of thermal expansion is different between the first andsecond components 14, 22, such as the engine block and the oil pan, theload limiter members 36 are designed to move to compensate for thesethermal differences. Therefore, when the composite oil pan thermallyexpands and contracts, the load limiter members 36 can shift or tiltrelative to respective second axes 26 in response to the expansion orcontraction which reduces the force 41 acting on the flange 32 or thesecond walls 28. Thermal expansion or contract can cause respectivefirst and second axes 18, 26 to be offset from each other, i.e., thefirst and second axes 18, 26 do not concentrically align (see FIG. 3);as such, the radially compliant feature 42 allows respective loadlimiter members 36 to shift laterally or tilt within respective secondholes 24 to compensate for the thermal changes. It is to be appreciatedthat the first and second axes 18, 26 of respective first and secondholes 16, 24 can concentrically align, and thus, one or more of the loadlimiter members 36 do not have to shift or tilt as shown in FIG. 4.

While the best modes for carrying out the disclosure have been describedin detail, those familiar with the art to which this disclosure relateswill recognize various alternative designs and embodiments forpracticing the disclosure within the scope of the appended claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A compression load limiter assembly for avehicle, the assembly comprising: a first component defining a firsthole along a first axis to present a first wall radially spaced from thefirst axis; a second component defining a second hole along a secondaxis to present a second wall radially spaced from the second axis, withthe first and second holes generally aligning with each other to coupletogether the first and second components; and a load limiter memberincluding a first body portion engaging one of the first and secondwalls when disposed in one of the first and second holes, with the firstbody portion having a radially compliant feature to allow movement ofthe load limiter member within one of the first and second holes inresponse to a force being applied to the load limiter member; whereinthe first body portion includes an outer surface, with the radiallycompliant feature defined as a recess disposed in the outer surface toallow radial compliance of the load limiter member within one of thefirst and second holes in response to the force; wherein the loadlimiter member includes a second body portion having an outer periphery,with the first body portion surrounding the outer periphery, and thesecond body portion directly abuts one of the first and secondcomponents; wherein the recess is further defined as a plurality ofrecesses spaced from each other about the outer surface.
 2. The assemblyas set forth in claim 1 wherein the load limiter member is disposed inthe second hole, with the outer surface engaging the second wall.
 3. Theassembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the recesses are furtherdefined as slots spaced from each other, with each of the slotsincluding a pair of sides spaced from each other and a base disposedbetween respective sides.
 4. The assembly as set forth in claim 1wherein the recesses are further defined as serrations, with each of theserrations including a pair of side walls angled relative to each othersuch that respective side walls engage each other at the outer surface.5. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the second body portiondefines a bore along a central axis, with the outer periphery facingaway from the central axis, and further including a fastener disposedthrough the bore and the second hole into the first hole to securetogether the first and second components.
 6. The assembly as set forthin claim 5 wherein the load limiter member includes a first end and asecond end spaced from each other along the central axis, and whereinthe first body portion includes a tapered portion tapering toward thecentral axis adjacent to the second end for guiding the load limitermember into one of the first and second holes, with the radiallycomplaint feature spaced from the second end and extending from thefirst end.
 7. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the secondbody portion is formed of a metal material.
 8. The assembly as set forthin claim 7 wherein the metal material of the second body portion issteel.
 9. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first bodyportion is formed of an elastomer material.
 10. The assembly as setforth in claim 9 wherein the elastomer material of the first bodyportion is rubber.
 11. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein thesecond component includes a main body and a flange extending outwardlyfrom the main body, with the flange coupled to the first component, andwith the second hole defined through the flange.
 12. The assembly as setforth in claim 11 wherein the first hole is further defined as aplurality of first holes spaced from each other to present respectivefirst walls, and wherein the second hole is further defined as aplurality of second holes spaced from each other to present respectivesecond walls, and wherein the load limiter member is further defined asa plurality of load limiter members, with one of the load limitermembers disposed in each of the second holes.
 13. The assembly as setforth in claim 12 further including a plurality of fasteners, with oneof the fasteners disposed through each of the load limiter members andrespective second holes into respective first holes to secure togetherthe first and second components, and wherein the radially compliantfeature of each of the load limiter members allow self-alignment of theload limiter members as the fasteners draw the second component intoengagement with the first component to compensate for tolerances betweenrespective first and second holes.
 14. The assembly as set forth inclaim 13 further including a sealant disposed along the flange andfacing the first component to seal between the first and secondcomponents when secured to each other, with the radially compliantfeature of each of the load limiter members allowing self-alignment ofthe load limiter members as the fasteners draw the second component intoengagement with the first component to reduce movement of the flange tomaintain the sealant between the first and second components.
 15. Avehicle comprising: an engine block defining a first hole along a firstaxis to present a first wall radially spaced from the first axis; an oilpan including a flange defining a second hole along a second axis topresent a second wall radially spaced from the second axis, with thefirst and second holes generally aligning with each other to coupletogether the engine block and the oil pan; and a load limiter memberdirectly abutting the engine block, and including a first body portionformed of an elastomer material and a second body portion formed of ametal material, with the second body portion having an outer periphery,and with the first body portion surrounding the outer periphery; whereinthe first body portion includes an outer surface engaging one of thefirst and second walls when disposed in one of the first and secondholes, with the outer surface having a radially compliant feature toallow movement of the load limiter member within one of the first andsecond holes in response to a force being applied to the load limitermember; wherein the radially compliant feature is defined as a pluralityof recesses disposed in the outer surface to allow radial compliance ofthe load limiter member within one of the first and second holes inresponse to the force; wherein the recesses are spaced from each otherabout the outer surface.
 16. The vehicle as set forth in claim 15wherein the first hole is further defined as a plurality of first holesspaced from each other to present respective first walls, and whereinthe second hole is further defined as a plurality of second holes spacedfrom each other to present respective second walls, and wherein the loadlimiter member is further defined as a plurality of load limitermembers, with one of the load limiter members disposed in each of thesecond holes, and further including a plurality of fasteners, with oneof the fasteners disposed through each of the load limiter members andrespective second holes into respective first holes to secure togetherthe engine block and the oil pan, and wherein the radially compliantfeature of each of the load limiter members allow self-alignment of theload limiter members as the fasteners draw the oil pan into engagementwith the engine block to compensate for tolerances between respectivefirst and second holes.
 17. The vehicle as set forth in claim 16 furtherincluding a sealant disposed along the flange and facing the engineblock to seal between the engine block and the oil pan when secured toeach other, with the radially compliant feature of each of the loadlimiter members allowing self-alignment of the load limiter members asthe fasteners draw the oil pan into engagement with the engine block toreduce movement of the flange to maintain the sealant between the engineblock and the oil pan.
 18. The assembly as set forth in claim 1 whereinthe load limiter member includes a first end and a second end spacedfrom each other along a central axis, and wherein the first body portionincludes a tapered portion that is disposed adjacent to the second endand spaced from the first end, and the recess is disposed adjacent tothe first end and spaced from the second end.
 19. The vehicle as setforth in claim 15 wherein the load limiter member includes a first endand a second end spaced from each other along a central axis, andwherein the first body portion includes a tapered portion that tapersrelative to the central axis, and wherein the tapered portion and therecesses are orientated axially relative to each other along the centralaxis.